Researchers from University of Strathclyde carried out a research on the EU decision to ban on throwing away unwanted fish. The change is designed to improve fish stock.

New reform to the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is said to have unintended consequences, finds researchers. Lead researcher Mike Heath said the decision could harm wildlife.

While explaining as how ban on discarding fish can have effect on ecosystem, Heath affirmed, "Wildlife everywhere capitalises on waste from human activity, and discarded fish are food for a wide range of seabirds, marine mammals, seabed animals and other fish".

In this situation, the ban would disrupt the normal cycle of the ecosystem. For the research, the team developed a computer simulation model of the North Sea marine ecosystem. The model served the purpose of researchers as it allowed them to investigate the effects of changes in the fishing pressure and the proportion of fish catch being discarded at sea.

Researchers noted discarding habit led to adverse effects on seabirds, seabed animals and marine mammals. It also did not have improvements in fish stocks. On the other hand, changing fish practices disrupted the entire food web. Major benefits were for birds, mammals and fish stocks.

If changes have to be made to reduce the discarded fish then it can be done through the use of fishing gear. Dr Robin Cook, who also worked in the research, said the study focuses on the need of focusing on the broader ecosystem results of fishery management.

Policies designed to reduce discards affects the entire food web and may also result in negative impact.